Non-dependants
Who are non-dependants?
Non-dependants are adults who normally share your accommodation with you but are not dependent on you for financial support.
Examples of non-dependants could be:
- Grown up children who still live with you
- Other adult relatives who live with you
- Adult friends who live with you.
People not treated as non-dependants because they are not counted as part of your household include:
- Carers employed by a charity that charges for the service
- Joint tenants
- Sub-tenants, or tenants of people who own their house
- Boarders
- Landlords' or landladies and their families.
Why are non-dependants important in housing benefit and council tax support?
The law says that we must take a set amount off your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support for each non-dependant who lives with you. There are six different amounts depending on the income of the non-dependant.
Non-dependants are expected to pay towards the household costs, and some of what they pay will be for the rent or council tax. A deduction is made from your housing benefit or council tax support because of this, even if the non-dependant doesn't pay you.
When are non-dependants deductions not made?
Non-dependant deductions are not made where:
- You or your partner are registered blind or treated as blind
- You or your partner are getting the care component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance for you or your partner
- The non-dependant is under 18
- The non-dependant's normal home is somewhere else
- The non-dependant is a full-time student. For housing benefit, but not council tax benefit, deductions may be made during the summer vacation
- The non-dependant is a prisoner
- The non-dependant has been a patient in hospital for 52 weeks or more
- In council tax support the non-dependant is on Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance
- In housing benefit the non-dependant is under 25 and on Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance.
Non dependant rates - 2024/25
Housing Benefit
| Low | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| £19.30 | £44.40 | £60.95 | £99.65 | £113.50 | £124.55 |
| £176.00 | £256.00 | £334.00 | £445.00 | £554.00 |
Council Tax Support
| Low | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| £4.90 | £4.90 | £10.05 | £10.05 | £12.60 | £15.10 |
| £256.00 | £256.00 | £445.00 | £554.00 |
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